The Nonprofit Institute at USD Partners with MUFG Union Bank Program to Help Nonprofits Led by Underrepresented Groups Across California

The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego and MUFG Union Bank Foundation have developed a multiyear partnership to help support nonprofit organizations led by underrepresented groups across the state to help bring about long-lasting and sustainable change and address racial equity. According to research from Echoing Green and Bridgespan, nonprofit groups led by Black and Latino leaders lag behind peers with white leaders in accessing funding for vital services. Issues cited in the research include connections, rapport and reporting. This program hopes to change that by providing participating nonprofits with $10,000, along with support for capacity building through organizational assessments, tailored training and one-on-one coaching. 

“We are excited to partner with MUFG Union Bank Foundation to build nonprofit and civic capacity to advance community economic development across the state,” says Emily Young, PhD, Executive Director of The Nonprofit Institute. 

Eleven organizations participated in the statewide pilot program last year. The results were so promising that MUFG Union Bank Foundation and The Nonprofit Institute have taken the program into a second year with 10 new participants from across the state. Some of the participants include an organization that increases educational opportunities for low-income or foster kids; an organization that helps domestic violence and sexual assault victims; and an organization that advocates for safe, stable and affordable housing. “We believe that in addition to funding, we need to invest in the leadership and management of the nonprofits we support. This program provides much needed education, technical assistance and coaching for community organizations that have deep understanding of community needs and are on the frontlines of addressing those needs,” says Kathy Patoff, Chief Operating Officer of MUFG Union Bank Foundation. 

This year’s participants:

• LICI-Americas (Bay Area)
• Black Cultural Zone (Bay Area)
• Sacramento Housing Alliance (Bay Area)
• Educating Students Together (EST) College Access Program (Los Angeles)
• Building Blocks For Kids (Los Angeles)
• Positive Results Center (Los Angeles)
• Women in Non-Traditional Employment Roles (Los Angeles)
• RestoreLA-CDC (Los Angeles)
• CIELO (Los Angeles)
• Founders First CDC (San Diego)

One of last year’s local participants leads the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). TKF was established in 1995 after 20-year-old college student Tariq Khamisa was killed by 14-year-old gang member Tony Hicks. Believing there were “victims on both ends of the gun,” Tariq’s family reached out in forgiveness to Tony’s family to begin the process of healing. Together they established TKF, which is dedicated to creating safer schools and communities through educating and inspiring children in the restorative principles of accountability, compassion, forgiveness, and peacemaking. 

“This program really helped me build more confidence as a leader and opened my eyes to new ways of thinking,” noted Tasreen Khamisa, Executive Director of TKF. “It was great to go through the program with a group of peers where we could support one another and share experiences in facing the same challenges.” 

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.